Divine Mercy Parish: Mawryngkneng
Mawryngkneng parish is a parish under the Archdiocese of Shillong located 35 km away from Shillong. Divine Mercy Parish, Mawryngkneng, entrusted to the MSFS and erected on March 19, 2003, was bifurcated from Nongthymmar Parish, Shillong. Frs Roy Parayaniyil msfs, the Parish Priest and George Poovathunkal msfs, the Associate Priest pioneered the mission. Mawryngkneng was a village with tiny population when Fr J V Lambergtke sj, the first priest to set foot in the village, visited the place in the beginning of twentieth century. The first baptism was in 1913
Angelus Marboh was the headman of Mawryngkneng village. He became the first village catholic head/ village catechist and leader, and remained so until 1970. He used to go for the monthly meeting of village catechists to Cathedral parish, Shillong. People remember him even today as one who worked hard for the church and the village. He made the first church with wood and thatched roof at Nongdawa- Mawryngkneng and bought the land for the catholic community. He used to visit Stephen Ferrando sdb, the Archbishop of Shillong, often, who promised to make Mawryngkneng a Parish. The catholic community grew steadily in this period of time.
Later catechists were Mr Ioanis Lawai, Mr Shalestin Suting, Mr Lauren Mawrie, Mr Louis Kharsati and Mr Lauren Mawthoh. Their hard work and zeal for faith nurtured the community and inspired more people to join the faith. As a result, a small church with tin roof was made at Mawmang - Mawryngkneng, when Fr Joseph Fantin sdb was the Parish Priest of Nongthymmai Parish, between 1944-1967. Gradually Mawryngkneng became a sub-centre and came to be called sub-district Mawryngkneng.
The priests, sisters and catechists of Nongthymmai parish made regular visits and conducted prayer services and preaching programmes for the Catholics of the sub-district. As a result, the number of faithful increased year by year, necessitating the need for a bigger church. In order to meet the need, Fr Roy Anthony sdb, the Parish Priest of Nongthymmai Parish, made a more spacious church in 1998, and that is used till date. Fr Francis sdb, the parish priest of Nongthymmai made the necessary preparations for the erection of Divine Mercy parish, Mawryngkneng. On March 19, 2003, Most Rev. Dominic Jala sdb, Archbishop of Shillong, inaugurated it and installed Frs Roy Parayaniyil msfs and George Poovatunkel msfs as parish priest and assosiate priest respectively. The Catholic community grew in number and faith. Salvatorian sisters joined the parish on September 5, 2006.
At present, the parish comprises of seven villages, namely Mawryngkneng, Sohryngkham, Mawlyndep, Pomura, Puriang, Ksehpongdeng and Kut. The number of catholics are increasing every year with induction of new villages and families to faith.
The parish has a canonically erected pastoral Council that meets every month, and takes decisions and implements them. With definite common text books and syllabus, sunday catechism classes are held in all the villages. Since 2004, administration of First Holy Communion and Confirmation during the annual Marian Procession is a feature. Celebrations like Annual Parish Day, Father’s Day and Mother’s Day with animation programmes, annual retreats for associations of men, women and youth, occasional seminar and animation programmes for men, women, youth, etc. are on top of the agenda of the parish. The parish team regularly animates the programmes in the villages. Since October 2012 two full-time touring sisters dedicate themselves to the faith formation of the community.
During Christmas and Easter, preparations for Marriage and baptism, reception of the sacraments of marriage and baptism are conducted. Few couples do regularise their marriage. Between 2003-15, there were 1974-baptisms, 184- Marriages, 369- First Communion-, 833-confirmation The parish has well formed, functioning and participating associations for Men/ Fathers, Women/Mothers, Youth and Children in the Parish under the supervisions of the priests and sisters. The youth association members undertake touring to other villages to encourage and support them. They organise Annual Youth conventions for all the youth of all the villages.
The Salvatorian Sisters (SDS)
The Salvatorian Sisters (SDS) joined the Parish on September 5, 2006. Two sisters assist at St Francis de Sales Secondary School, Mawryngtkneng as teachers and two sisters engage in village touring.
Clarist Franciscan Missionaries of the Most Blessed Sacrament (CFMSS)
Sisters of CFMSS (Clarist Franciscan Missionaries of the Most Blessed Sacrament) had been working at Sohryngkham village since the year 1990. They run the school there (St Theresa L.P school ) under the supervision of the parish. They also have a dispensary and a girl’s hostel.
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SL. NO |
PARISH PRIEST |
YEAR |
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1 |
Roy Parayaniyil |
2003-2008 |
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2 |
Genes Shangpliang |
2008-2010 |
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Nicholas Bara |
2011 - 2018 |
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|
Antony Kattathara |
2018 - |
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SL. NO |
ASST. PARISH PRIEST |
YEAR |
|
1 |
George Poovathunkal |
2003-2005 |
|
2 |
Mathew Ottapallil |
2005-2006 |
|
3 |
Antony Kattathara |
2007-2010 |
|
4 |
Johnson Kunnumpurath |
2010-2011 |
|
5 |
Firstar Shylla |
2010- 2014 |
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6 |
Silanand Soreng |
2014 - 2018 |
|
7 |
Luke Tanti |
2018 - |
|
8 |
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9 |
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10 |
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11 |
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